Confidence Is Down.

Here’s How You Can Still Show Up Strong in Your Career

Author

Glen Patterson
May 23, 2025

According to new LinkedIn data, job seekers’ confidence in finding or keeping a job is now at its lowest point since the pandemic. The sentiment, gathered from over half a million U.S. professionals, shows a steady decline in optimism, dipping to just +10 in April 2025 — down significantly from its peak in early 2022.

So what does this mean if you’re actively searching for a job — or worried about keeping the one you have?

It means the external job market is unpredictable, but your internal strategy doesn’t have to be. In uncertain times, confidence can’t only come from job offers — it must come from clarity, capability, and community.

Why It Matters

When confidence drops, so does action. Fear of rejection, layoffs, or being “not ready enough” keeps talented people stuck. But this is exactly when action matters most. The ability to stay proactive — even when you feel discouraged — can be your greatest competitive advantage.

How to Rebuild Confidence in a Shaky Job Market

Here are three core strategies that work — regardless of market conditions:

Step 1. Create a Weekly Visibility Habit

Why: Most hiring happens through people, not platforms.
 How: Set a simple goal — connect with 3 people on LinkedIn each week. Comment thoughtfully on 5 posts. Reach out to someone in a role you admire with a short message like:
 “Hi [Name], I’m currently navigating my next career step and admire your path. If you’re open, I’d love to ask you 2–3 quick questions about your role.”

Step 2. Use a Confidence Tracker

Why: Confidence is built on evidence, not hope.
 How: At the end of each week, log:

  • 1 thing you learned

  • 1 action you took (a call, a resume sent, a project updated)

  • 1 compliment or feedback received
     Over time, this reinforces your progress — even if job offers take longer to arrive.

Step 3. Strengthen Your Career Narrative

Why: When the market feels crowded, storytelling sets you apart.
 How: Revisit your resume and LinkedIn bio. Focus on:

  • Results (e.g., “Increased retention by 25%”)

  • Impact (e.g., “Helped launch a product used by 5,000 customers”)

  • Purpose (e.g., “I help companies turn chaos into clarity through systems”)

This helps recruiters and hiring managers see your value instantly — not just your title.

Remember This

Yes, the market is tough right now

Hiring trends will always shift, but skills, stories, and support systems never go out of style.

Prompt of the Day:

Reflect on a time you faced a setback or rejection in your job search. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your approach moving forward?

This prompt encourages introspection, learning from challenges (which is a common theme in job searching!), and focusing on growth.

Job Board. 💼🚶‍♂️💰

New Opportunities

Phoenix, Arizona.

Richmond, Virginia.

Richmond, Virginia.

Rhinebeck, New York.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. (on-sit

Job Search Clarity & Confidence Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you regain clarity, build momentum, and strengthen your job search confidence with consistent actions.

1. Weekly Action Plan

Set small, achievable goals for the week. These help you build momentum and maintain focus.

Examples: Update resume, apply to 3 jobs, write a new LinkedIn post.

Goal

Deadline

2. Networking Tracker

Reach out to 5 new people this week. Use this table to track outreach and responses.

Contact Name

Platform/Method

Follow-up Needed?

3. Weekly Reflection

Take 10 minutes to reflect on your progress. This builds clarity and confidence.

What went well this week?

______________________________________________________________________

What needs improvement?

______________________________________________________________________

One thing I’ll focus on next week:

______________________________________________________________________